Category Archives: Uncategorized

ARC — Pride & Puppies — Lizzie Shane

“I’m just saying in real life the Darcys don’t always turn out to be Darcys.”
“So date a Bingley.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Mentions parent death. Also, dangerous levels of mutual pining.

“Pride and Puppies” follows Dr. Charlotte Rodriguez as she swears off men and is set to adopt a puppy instead of looking for another boyfriend. And so in comes George Leneghan, her neighbor and coworker who actually has an incredibly well-behaved dog—so he must have all the tips and tricks she’ll need. As they start spending more time together, Charlotte may or may not be developing feelings she swore she wouldn’t towards George, feelings George had always had for her.

This is for all the Pride and Prejudice (2005 movie) lovers. No, you don’t really need to have seen the movie (or read Pride and Prejudice) to enjoy this book, but it just makes it so much more fun. It was a bit slow-paced for my liking, but I loved the characters and the lightheartedness of it all.

Charlotte and George are both so weird and socially awkward, I loved it. Their friendship growing into something more felt so natural. I truly fell in love with this novel—and it has nothing to do with the fact that I, too, love Colin Firth (and Matthew Macfadyen) as Mr. Darcy.

If there is one thing that I didn’t like that much about “Pride and Puppies” is how the doctor/rehab/medicine part of it was a bit vague and not really in the forefront of either the plot or the narrative in general. I’m guessing this could be a plus to some people, but, in my case, my boyfriend is a doctor and I love medical dramas so it would’ve been cool to kind of get that viewing off his story.

Either way, I would highly recommend you go buy this book, be it for yourself or for someone else. It really has that vibe of being a good gift book. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for it this holiday season.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: November 22, 2022

“Other little girls could keep their Prince Charmings. She was devoted to Mr. Darcy.”

Any Way the Wind Blows — Rainbow Rowell — Simon Snow #3

“This thing between us didn’t start with us dating. It didn’t even start when you kissed me. You’re in me so deep, I wouldn’t know how to dig you out. I may get fed up with you… But, Simon, I’ll never get tired of you.”

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBTQIA+
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Magical violence, death of parent, animal death, murder and murder attempts. Discusses mental illness. Also, has more sexual content than the other books, 10/10.

“Any Way the Wind Blows” follows our already loved wizards (and not)—Simon, Baz, Penelope, Shep, Agatha, Niamh—as they fall apart and then come to terms with their changing realities, as they visit Watford again. It’s a sweet ending to an action-packed series.

Originally I did not start reading Rainbow Rowell in search of fantasy and magical stories, I started reading her YA romance novels and that’s when I ran into “Fangirl” and fell in love with Cath and her world, yes, but I also fell for Simon Snow and the other characters Cath wrote about. So, when I heard Rainbow had published Simon’s book it was insane. Then make that a trilogy. It’s been precious.

Simon is such a teenager, I love it. This has truly been a coming-of-age triology. The second book, “Wayward Son”, was not my favorite, but the series redeemed itself with its third installment. There are a few things that were left up in the air and that kills me, given it’s the last book, but I still appreciated this closure.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan but don’t want to give J.K. Rowling royalties anymore, definitely grab the Simon Snow trilogy. It’ll have all the magical goodness you crave (with a lot more spice and queerness).

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Wayward Son — Rainbow Rowell — Simon Snow #2

“Can I?” (…)
“Can you what, Simon? Kiss me? Kill me? Break my heart?”

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBTQIA+
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Magical violence, death of parent, animal death, murder and murder attempts. Discusses suicide and suicide attempts, emotional abuse, and bullying. Describes fire injuries.

Simon Snow is in the middle of an identity crisis. He was the “Chosen One”, the one who’s beat the bad guys… so what now? After all is said and done, what is his purpose after the war? I guess a roadtrip will tell.

I did not feel like this book was true to the characters we met the first time around—hence the downmark from the previous book. Literally the only thing holding this book at 3.5 stars is Snowbaz. Simon and Baz are still as perfect as they come.

Another thing that put me off was that ending. Like, was it an ending at all? I feel like I just read some filler novel on the waits for the last book.

I would say only grab this book if you’re ready to not give up on the series. If you’re willing to read “Any Way The Wind Blows” even if you hate “Wayward Son”, then grab “Wayward Son”.

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ARC — The Wilderwomen — Ruth Emmie Lang

“The birds are singing… I’m here to stay.”

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Spicy Meter: N/A, it’s clean
Content Warning: It revolves around parental abandonment, but also includes car accident, pregnancy, and injury details.

“The Wilderwomen” follows, well, the Wilder women—Nora, and her daughters, Zadie and Finn. Well, it mostly follow Zadie and Finn, as Nora has been missing for the last 5 years. But Zadie and Finn aren’t your normal 23- and 17-year-olds, respectively—they’re somewhat magical. Zadie can see the future (of sorts), while Finn can relive other people’s memories, something they call “echoes”. So when, after being missing for so long, Finn can sense an echo from their mom, she convinces Zadie to go on a roadtrip, as she’s sure Nora wants to be found.

I feel like I could’ve enjoyed this book more at another point in my life. For instance, a year ago, I loved reading some nonsensical magical realism (I’ll blame it on me rewatching Jane The Virgin), but right now it just didn’t resonate with me.

Don’t get me wrong, “The Wilderwomen” is exceptionally well-written, and will keep you hooked, I just felt like I wasn’t fulfilled after reading this book.

Zadie and Finn are very likable characters, but I couldn’t care less about Nora, so I was just annoyed half the time. I liked the Sixes, the people who have a sixth sense, that they met in their roadtrip. I loved loved loved the writing. I just didn’t love the story as a whole.

I would recommend this book to readers looking for an escape, a magical read that’ll make you question if you’re the sane one or if magic is really real. If you’ve enjoyed other magical realism reads like “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by T.J. Klune or “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig (which also has a character named Nora, lol), then you’ll love “The Wilderwomen”.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: November 15, 2022

Carry On — Rainbow Rowell — Simon Snow #1

“You have to pretend you get an endgame. You have to carry on like you will; otherwise, you can’t carry on at all.”

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBTQIA+
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Magical violence, death of parent, animal death, murder and murder attempts. Discusses suicide and suicide attempts, emotional abuse, and bullying. Describes fire injuries.

“Carry On” follows Simon Snow, the Chosen One, and his friends, ex girlfriend, and his archnemesis, Baz, as they try to survive through their last year at the Watford School of Magicks.

“Carry On” was one of the books that, last year, in the middle of the pandemic, pulled me back into the world of reading. I was a big reader when I was younger, all through middle school and high school, but as I delved into university it kind of became hard to take the time to do what I loved doing instead of what I needed to do.

Basically, “Carry On” is a ode to childish academic magic, and a gift to all Harry Potter lovers looking for a queer, non-homophobic alternative to the series we once loved.

Looking back to my review of this book, posted in Goodreads on June 2021, the only salvageable comment is how I do not like how many POVs this novel had, it got exhausting and confusing to keep up with. Now, I can just say that it’s a fun, not-so-short read that’ll bring you into a world of magic and chaos. I ultimately loved it.

I mean, I guess I already gave all my recommendations but, basically, if you like books about magic and Harry Potter, and don’t shy away from some queer romance, then you’re gonna love “Carry On”.

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“You were the sun, and I was crashing into you. I’d wake up every morning and think, ‘This will end in flames.’ ”

ARC — The Creative Lives of Animals — Carol Gigliotti

“We do not give meaning to the lives of animals; they are able and willing to do that themselves. They plan their future, build their homes, fabricate bowers for their beloveds, defend themselves from predators they fear, (…). Their lives have meaning for them. To their detriment and ours, we have until recently dismissed and neglected the critical importance of that knowledge.”

Genre: Science, Nonfiction
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: N/A
Content Warning: N/A

The number of science books I read in comparison to the number of fiction books I read is basically negligible. I think that’s because I already work in a science-focused area, and it’s easier to escape the pressures of being a marine zoologist by reading about made up worlds where people live extraordinarily different lives from what I’ve experienced in mine. But a science book here and there usually doesn’t disappoint.

Just by reading the premise and the introduction to this book, I was instantly reminded of Frans de Waals’s “Are We Smart Enough To Know How Smart Animals Are?”, which is one of my all-time favorite animal behaviour books. So it was no surprise to see Carol Gigliotti quoting this same book later on, on her first chapter.

Written under different prompts, this book will give you a glimpse, both through theory and case studies, into why animals do the things they do. Discussing topics like animal intelligence, communication, building, amongst other things that make animals different, yes, but not necessarily superior, to humans.

This is a well-researched, but heavy read. I would only recommend this book to readers interested in biology, ecology, and animal behaviour. If these aren’t amongst your interests, you might find this book a bit boring. In my case, it served as a reminder of why I love my field of study and why I do what I do and study what I study.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and NYU Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: November 22, 2022

ARC — To Get To The Other Side — Kelly Ohlert

“Chickira? Henrietta? Princess Lay-A. Hennifer Lopez! Clucky Charm? I’m going to call you Chick-Chick.”

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Discusses sick animals, bullying, child abuse, and frustration and unhealthy parental relationships after practicing a professional sport. Has some sexual innuendos.

“To Get To The Other Side” follows Trixie, Bear, and Chick-Chick—two roommates and a chicken found abandoned in the streets of Chicago. Trixie found Chick-Chick in the middle of the street and, by trying to sneak her into her not-pet-friendly apartment, is kicked out by her landlord. That’s when she finds an ad about a so-called Bear, who’s looking for a roommate and doesn’t mind pets…ish. Obviously a chicken was a bit unexpected, but Trixie and Chick-Chick end up falling right into his routine… perhaps falling in too well. To the point he’s thinking she could be more than just a roommate.

I think the best way to describe this book is as weird? The writing isn’t horrible but the story is just odd. Love at first sight and then close proximity and kind of enemies to lovers for a hot second… and a chicken? Found in the middle of the street? I don’t know. I love fiction just as much as the next chick (no pun intended), but this really wasn’t it for me.

This is a sort of closed-doors-romance, where we know they bang but we don’t know anything about it, if that makes sense. So I wouldn’t call it a clean romance per se, but I also can’t give it much of a spicy rating as is.

I think I didn’t enjoy this book quite as much as I expected. (I’ll blame it on judging a book by its cover). It’s supposed to be a romantic comedy, but I didn’t find any of it funny—more like I found it all very unrealistic. I read to escape my reality, but not in this whimsical, idealistic way. Life isn’t like this. People don’t talk like that.

Trixie is annoying, Bear (who the hell is called Bear?) is fictional at worse, and the name of the chicken is Chick Chick. Need I say more?

I would recommend this book if you’re looking for a short, silly read. No substance, all fluff—and clean fluff at that.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Alcove Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: December 6, 2022

Without Merit — Colleen Hoover

“With or without Merit?”

Author: Colleen Hoover
Narrated By: Candace Thaxton

Genre: Romance, Young Adult Fiction
Actual Rating: 2.5 stars
Spicy Meter: N/A, it’s clean (although lots of talk about spicy stuff)
Narration: 4 mikes
Content Warning: Describes a suicide attempt, depression, sexual assault, accidents, hypochondria, terminal illness, and very very toxic family relationships.

“Without Merit” follows the Voss family, a dysfunctional family living in a repurposed church out of spite, but it specifically follows Merit Voss, as she deals with being a teenager in love dealing with depression and a lowkey estranged twin. In this coming-of-age novel, you’ll get to live through adolescence over again—with its ups and downs and its indecisiveness and struggles.

I… kinda hated this book? It’s weird because I loved the audiobook narration and I love Colleen Hoover as a writer and I like YA clean romance novels once in a while—but this was something else entirely. I am part of a dysfunctional family and love reading about them as much as the next guy but, damn, was the Voss family above all that. There is dysfunctional and then there is that family, holy. It was all so weird it was distracting. This is as fiction as fiction can get. In no way could this family exist in real life, I swear.

Anyways, I would not recommend this book as your first or even fifth Colleen Hoover read, but if you’ve got nothing else to do and are looking for a filler novel then you could hypothetically grab “Without Merit”, I guess.

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“I used to feel like I was on the top of the world. Then one day, I noticed that it felt like I was no longer on the top of the world. I was just floating around inside of it. And then eventually, it felt like the world was on top of me.”

That’s what depression is.

Talk Bookish To Me — Kate Bromley

Author: Kate Bromley
Narrated By: Natalie Naudus

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars (and I’m being generous)
Spicy Meter: 3 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Discusses cheating, parent death, and hit and runs.

“Talk Bookish To Me” follows Kara Sullivan, a romance novelist that’s stuck in a writer’s block, as she finds the cure to that bad slump when she is reunited with her first love and college boyfriend, Ryan Thompson, through a friend’s wedding celebration. Little did she know that her proximity to Ryan and their past love could only lead to more heartbreak.

Lets start with the praise. I loved Natalie Naudus’ narration. I will definitely be looking out for audiobooks worked on by her. I also like books that talk about books, so having the main character be a writer was fun. The spicy bits weren’t the best but they were definitely creative, alright?

Now, on with the not so good. Take the cheating content warning very seriously, it isn’t just lightly mentioned, it is literally a shit show. I didn’t particularly like Kara, but can definitely confirm I hated Ryan more. Cheating in books is a big turn off for me, it is my one pet peeve. I hate it when cheating is consensual (aka both parts know they’re cheating), but I hate it even more when it isn’t (aka one of the parts doesn’t know the other part is cheating). So I can honestly say I was really enjoying the book pretty much until that plot line was uncovered. It took all I liked about the book and threw it out the window. Honestly, I feel that by giving it a 3.5-star review I’m being lenient on the cheating just because I loved the narration. Normally I would rate it much lower.

Anyways, personally I did not like this book because of its plot, but if you’re into cheating tropes, then this book might be for you.

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ARC — Kiss Her Once for Me — Alison Cochrun

“Honesty game: I feel like I’ve known you forever.”

Genre: Romance, LGBTQIA+
Actual Rating: 5+ star emojis
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: As given by the author—there are moments of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. Deals with generalized anxiety disorders and stigmas around neurodiversity. Mentions adultery and cheating.

“Kiss Her Once for Me” follows Ellie Oliver, an animator and demisexual hopeless romantic, through two very impactful moments of her life—both revolving around the winter holidays. Bring on December 2021, where Ellie has just moved to Portland and is working at an animation studio, when she unexpectedly has a meet-cute and calamitous one night stand with Jack, only to never see her again. Then flash-forward to December 2022, where she’s working as a barista after losing her dream job in animation and she somehow agrees to fake-marry the coffee shop’s cute landlord, Andrew, so he can get his inheritance. But before they get married, Ellie has to endure a few days at his family’s cabin, celebrating Christmas… only to find out Andrew’s sister who he’s referred to as Jacqueline is actually Jack. The same Jack who broke Ellie’s heart last Christmas. -Queue in “Last Christmas” by Taylor Swift (2007 cover)-

First things first: get this book as a Christmas/holiday gift for all your lesbian, bisexual, queer, and sapphic-loving reader friends. Now. Go order them so they’ll be there for the holidays. I cannot begin to explain how much I loved this book.

“Kiss Her Once for Me” will be hands down my favorite holiday book this season—I have no proofs but also no doubts. This book had it all. Fake dating? Check. Marriage of convenience? Check. Miscommunication? Check. Close proximity? Check. Diverse characters? Check. Character growth? Check. Epic sapphic couple? Check check check.

I would not change a single thing about this book. Alison Chochrun is a swiftie, alright? The amount of times Taylor Swift is mentioned cannot be a coincidence, and I was there for it. I, too, have devoted countless hours to listening to Taylor Swift. I, too, believe evermore is an ode to Christmas. I, too, believe Lover is the superior album.

It isn’t the most explicit read, but there are some steamy scenes—and although this usually knocks down some stars while rating, I didn’t mind it too much through this read. The kissed were sweet and the conversation and intimacy achieved through communication was stellar. I did not feel like something was missing when I finished this read.

I would highly recommend “Kiss Her Once for Me” if you’re looking for a sapphic romance full of wintery feels. If you enjoy books by authors like Casey McQuiston, Rachael Lippincott, and Alexis Hall, then Alison Cochrun’s writing is right up your alley. This was such a fluid, lovely read. Oh, how I wish I could start reading it for the first time all over again.

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ARC provided by Atria Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: November 01, 2022